Advanced everyday english: Advanced vocabulary, phrasal verbs, idioms and expressions - Collins Steven 2011

Listen to the CD track 10
Chapter Nine in Use

Two students discussing exams

JOHN: / have to say, I really resent having to study for chemistry, even though I’m quite hopeful of getting through the exam.

MARIA: / must say these days I have a rather apathetic attitude towards the sciences. In last year’s physics exam I tried to embellish my answers with irrelevant philosophical views on the laws of nature. N\y arguments must have been flawed because I failed miserably. Any ambitions my dad has of me becoming a scientist like him are doomed, I’m afraid.

JOHN: Well, this year I’ll try to put in a good word for you with Miss Austin, the physics teacher, although she has probably tarred all of us with the same brush.

MARIA: I don’t know if it’ll make any difference. I’m finding it harder and harder each year to psych myself up for exams. I’m not sure what career path I want to take either. Everything is looking a bit blurred at the moment.

JOHN: But not bleak! Whatever brought this sudden outburst on? You seem to have got a bee in your bonnet about exams, but I think you’re being too hard on yourself. Your recent poor performance in exams is probably just a blip, don’t you think? Overall, you’ve got everything going for you. Don’t let a lack of confidence shatter all your dreams.

MARIA: Thanks John. You’re a real mate.

An article about alternative medicine

Last week I was browsing through one of the Sunday newspapers when I noticed an article about a new alternative treatment for staving off viruses.

Apparently, rubbing banana peel into one’s nose twice a day is supposed to fight off any lingering virus which may be hampering a full recovery after a period of fatigue and malaise.

In the last few years I have been brone to coming down with infections, so my gut reaction was: “Why not give it a go?” Initially nothing happened. Then I started to sneeze violently and feel nauseous.

I became very upset as yet another alternative therapy proved to be a complete waste of time and money. My wife tried to console me, but I believe there is something untoward about these non-doctors trying to endear themselves to a gullible and vulnerable public, many of whom are desperate to find a cure for their ills.

I don’t want to get embroiled in legal disputes, but if I were to sue any of these cheats over what they allege to be medicine, they wouldn’t have a leg to stand on.